The practice of waking up elderly residents early in the morning was found at three care homes in the region.

It was at Washington Grange in Barmston, Washington, that residents were found asleep in their armchairs – in either their bedroom or the lounge and reception area – before 6am.

A report from October this year saw the home fail on four out of five Government standards.

It said: “We had received information from an anonymous source alleging that people suffering from dementia were being woken, taken out of bed and then washed and dressed from 4am onwards irrespective of their wishes or care needs.

“Due to their mental health problems these people were unable to protest and the informant stated ‘even if they did they would have no option anyway’.”

Inspectors also found that just three night staff were on duty to look after 37 people.

The home is owned by Barchester Healthcare, which cares for more than 10,000 people at over 200 different locations.

A spokeswoman said: “At Washington Grange care home the well-being of our residents is of the utmost importance.

“The points raised by the Care Quality Commission during their inspection have now been addressed.

“We have submitted a detailed action plan to the Commission setting out how we intend to ensure the well-being of our residents alongside making sure that individual needs and choices regarding daily life are met.

“The health and comfort of our residents is at the forefront of everything we do.”

Similar practices were taking place at Windermere Grange Care Home in Middlesbrough, owned by provider St Martin’s Care.

Night shift workers were said to have told inspectors that they were under pressure from the day shift to get residents up early.

One staff member said: “We would have a set number of people up. They (the day staff) want them up early as they are short staffed. Of the 27 we would be expected to get nearly all of them up.”

No one from St Martin’s Care wished to comment.

At privately-run Astley House in Seaton Delaval, North Tyneside, inspectors found residents being woken as early as 5.30am. Inspectors were also concerned that staff may have been asleep while on duty. The owners said they did not wish to comment.

Ian Swales, Liberal Democrat MP for Redcar and a member of the influential public accounts committee, said the cases showed the need for “rigorous monitoring” of care homes, which should be carried out by councils.

He said: “They should be empowered to take charge and force care homes top work art the highest standards.”

She said: “Older people going into care homes, and their families, rightly expect that they will be looked after with dignity and respected in a safe and comfortable environment.

"There should be absolutely no exceptions to this, so it is always extremely concerning to hear that certain homes are not living up to obligations, especially when that involves vulnerable adults who are unable to tell anyone if they are being mistreated.”